Local government and the public sector at large require the kind of leadership that will transform and fast-track service delivery in a manner that will inspire hope among citizens, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela said on Thursday.
Speaking at a seminar on effective human resources management in Cape Town, she said the advent of a democratic South Africa had given citizens hope that the new government was going to be in accordance with the will and needs of all and not just some of the people.
Billions or rand that were meant to deliver on the constitutional promise of service delivery in pursuit of a better life were, however, being unlawfully and greedily siphoned into the pockets of persons within and outside government, the Public Protector said.
Acts of corruption within state affairs, she said, had a potential to kill the hope that was inspired by the Constitution. The Public Protector added that even where there was no proven corruption, money was still wasted through lack of diligence in public sector procurement management.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that the most serious crisis lies in our state procurement. If we don’t take drastic action, there will soon be no money for service delivery,” she warned.
The Public Protector told delegates made up of Mayors, Municipal Managers and human resources officials from the local government sphere that her office’s ability to add value to people’s lives and to government efforts to delivery services depended on cooperation from those within the state.
“ Although as an oversight body the image you have of my office and others like it is that of a watchdog, we see ourselves as a support structure for you to deliver on what you already intend to do in pursuit of your constitutional, legal and policy obligations,” she said.
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Senior Manager: Outreach, Education and Communications
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
